PRIME-X - ImPact of RemovIng alveolar MacrophagEs in IPF & Xenon MRI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the Impact of using Broncho-Alveolar Lavage to Remove Alveolar Macrophages in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
IRAS ID
362803
Contact name
Neda Akhtar Hasan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford/ Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 2 days
Research summary
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a lung disease characterised by progressive fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs with an average life expectancy of less than 5 years from diagnosis. To date, research has been focussed on fibroblasts and the deposition of scar tissue. However, anti-fibrotic drugs that target fibroblasts have failed to halt the progression of disease.
More recently, studies have highlighted how repeat injury to the alveolar epithelium (cells that line the air sacs in the lungs) results in the formation of faulty cells called Aberrant Basaloid Intermediates (ABI) to arise and disrupt normal epithelial repair. There has also been growing evidence of pathological immune cells within the alveoli called macrophages being the most abundant cell type in IPF and are involved in the formation fibrosis. Our group has found that CD206hi alveolar macrophages were the only immune cells that were in direct contact with ABIs throughout all stages of fibrosis. However, how these macrophages and ABI interact and contribute to fibrosis is unknown.
My project aims to understand the role of alveolar macrophages in the progression of IPF. I hypothesize that the removal of alveolar macrophages will stabilise clinical indicators of progression in IPF. To test this hypothesis, I will use bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to remove alveolar macrophages form the lungs of IPF patients at baseline, and 4 months later, to compare the inflammatory landscape of the alveolar macrophages, and monitor parameters of disease progression for 12 months including CT fibrosis scores, KB-ILD symptom questionnaire, and lung function tests. Participants will also have a Xenon-MRI of their chest at baseline and at 12 months.
Additionally, CD206hi macrophages from the BAL will be added to lab grown 3D models of injured alveoli and functionally test the crosstalk between these cells and ABI, to identify new drug targets for IPF.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
26/WA/0096
Date of REC Opinion
5 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion